Special Report: Hampton Roads Prepares For War

Chaplains Hope - And Pray - For The Best

Ministers Dread Unpleasant Duty Of Telling Next Of Kin

NORFOLK — Although a military man of 18 1/2 years service, Navy Capt. Thomas Marsden does not have to worry about sending any man or woman to die in a war.

He does have to worry about telling their mothers or fathers, or wives or husbands.

As area coordinator of Navy chaplains, Marsden oversees more than 80 chaplains in Hampton Roads who soon may be called upon to accompany officers who must notify relatives that loved ones have died in Operation Desert Shield in the Middle East.

``It certainly is not one of our more joyful responsibilities,'' Marsden said.

``We would certainly prefer to do weddings and baptisms. But the more important concerns the chaplains have, as difficult as it will be on them, will be the families. It will be hardest on them,'' Marsden said.

Marsden and other casualty assistance and family support personnel have been busy in recent days preparing for the aftermath of what might happen as the United Nations' Jan. 15 deadline for Iraqi forces to leave Kuwait nears.

Of the more than 40,000 Hampton Roads military personnel deployed in the Middle East, 35,000 are aboard Navy ships from Norfolk and Little Creek naval bases, and from Portsmouth Naval Hospital.

``I've been meeting with both senior and other chaplains in the area to let them know the plan as far as notifying chaplains, to put them on alert - how each chaplain will be notified to be involved in ministry if and when needed,'' Marsden said.

As with the Army and Air Force in the area, the Navy's casualty assistance office in Norfolk is in charge of notifying all next of kin living in Hampton Roads of Navy deaths anywhere in the world, regardless if the victim is assigned to a unit in Hampton Roads or not. The office also helps with arrangements for funerals and death benefits.

A chaplain is normally assigned to every casualty assistance officer sent out to notify a family that a loved one has died, Marsden said.

Marsden said that while his office will try to send a chaplain with every officer, if casualty numbers get too large, chaplains may have to visit with families later.

As needed, chaplains will also be handling requests for funerals and memorial services.

But area chaplains are hoping - and praying, he said - they will not be called.

``In speaking with all my chaplains, they're all aware that they need to be extra sensitive to folks who are going to be quite anxious about the situation and how it develops,'' Marsden said.

Sailors regularly deploy aboard ships for six months at a time, but this time the deployment is different, Marsden said.

Chaplains are reporting higher than usual levels of anxiety, he said, especially in the Navy housing areas around Hampton Roads.

``Most of the anxiety is brought on by the uncertainty of the situation. That's unique because Navy people experience separation all the time.''